![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/lotus-esprit-italdesign.jpg\")
The Lotus Esprit was penned by Italdesign<\/p>\nWhen famed automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro founded Italdesign in 1968, no one would\u2019ve expected it to become the famed design house it is now, having penned some of the world\u2019s most iconic cars.<\/p>\n
While Giugiaro parted ways with Italdesign in 2015, the company has continued on under the ownership of Audi and Lamborghini, though the Volkswagen Group brands have now given a majority stake of the design company to US-based firm UST.<\/p>\n
Described as \u201ca global transformation company specialising in AI-powered technology, design, and engineering\u201d, UST has acquired a majority stake in Italdesign, though Lamborghini will \u201cretain a significant stake\u201d, while Audi will continue to be a \u201cstrategic partner\u201d of Italdesign.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority takeover of Italdesign by UST creates a strong partnership that combines UST\u2019s expertise in automotive engineering, artificial intelligence, software-defined vehicle development, and digital ecosystem design with Italdesign\u2019s deep knowledge in vehicle and product design, engineering, prototyping, small series production, and automotive electronics,\u201d read a joint media release.<\/p>\n
The Lotus Esprit was penned by Italdesign<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, the companies will be able to offer a comprehensive and integrated range of services \u2013 from early concept and design to hardware and software development through to production systems. This combined capability is designed to support the development of fully modern, digitally enabled vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n
The exact financial details of the deal are not yet known, and it is subject to regulatory approvals.<\/p>\n
\u201cItaldesign has shaped the way the world experiences mobility, and its legacy of design excellence is respected globally,\u201d said UST CEO Krishna Sudheendra.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grateful for the trust placed in us as we begin this next chapter together. Our role is to support Italdesign\u2019s vision, honor its heritage, and bring new capabilities that help the team continue to grow.<\/p>\n
Design chief labels AI vehicles \u2018sh*t\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe look forward to working side by side with Italdesign and our partners across the Audi Group to help build what comes next.\u201d<\/p>\n Recently Italdesign has hinted at launching a modern tribute to the classic Honda NSX<\/a>, but was beaten to doing so by fellow Italian design brand Pininfarina.<\/p>\n